Ultrasonic Shadow Image Generation via Hue Saturation Lightness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic systems face challenges in accurately extracting and analyzing acoustic shadows in ultrasonic images, which can obscure tissue features and hinder disease diagnosis due to artifacts like hard tissue reflections and diseases causing local tissue induration.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus equipped with processing circuitry that generates shadow images by analyzing features such as hue, saturation, and lightness based on acoustic shadows, allowing for precise extraction and classification of shadows using threshold and dip & peak methods, and superimposing these images onto B-mode images for enhanced visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic imaging is used, then the imaging process is simple, but acoustic shadows obscure tissue features and hinder disease diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasonic image processing into distinct functional modules: shadow detection unit that identifies shadow regions, feature extraction unit that analyzes shadow characteristics, and image generation unit that creates visual representations. This segmentation allows complex shadow analysis to be broken down into manageable steps, improving extraction accuracy while organizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer between raw ultrasonic data and final diagnosis. This intermediary system includes multiple processing circuits that perform thresholding, feature extraction, and shadow image generation, serving as a mediator that transforms obscure shadow artifacts into analyzable visual features without directly altering the original diagnostic process.
2Measurement precision
If shadow analysis is performed using conventional methods, then the analysis is quick, but the visualization of shadow features is insufficient for accurate diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining multiple shadow patterns (conical shadow, curved shadow, pectinate shadow, etc.) and their characteristic features before actual diagnosis. The system pre-processes ultrasonic data to extract shadow features and generates shadow images in advance, so that during diagnosis, only pattern matching and comparison are needed, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high visualization quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by representing shadow features in multiple dimensions: spatial distribution, intensity gradients, geometric shapes, and temporal variations. By transforming shadow data into these different parameter representations and generating corresponding visualizations, the system achieves comprehensive feature visualization that aids accurate diagnosis without requiring excessive processing time.
3Reliability
If multiple shadow patterns are classified, then disease identification accuracy improves, but the classification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the classification task by defining distinct shadow patterns (conical shadow from kidney stones, curved shadow from gallstones, pectinate shadow from liver diseases, etc.) with specific characteristic features for each. Each pattern type is analyzed independently with dedicated detection criteria, allowing the system to maintain high diagnostic reliability for each disease type while managing overall classification complexity through modular pattern recognition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate extraction and analysis of shadows, improving diagnostic performance by providing clear visualization and quantitative measurement of shadow features, facilitating better disease identification and tissue characterization.
Implementation Method 1
processing circuitry 15 causes an ultrasonic probe 1 to perform an ultrasound scan on a subject P
Implementation Method 2
the ultrasonic waves reflected at a position deeper than the hard tissue are weakened
Implementation Method 3
an ultrasonic probe 1 to perform an ultrasound scan on a subject P
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to cause an ultrasonic probe to perform an ultrasound scan of a subject. The processing circuitry is configured to generate a shadow image by assigning at least one of hue, saturation, and lightness depending on a feature of an acoustic shadow that has appeared in the result of the ultrasound scan.